The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday decided to deploy Rangers in the upcoming by-elections in NA-122, NA-144, NA-154, PP-147 and PP-16 constituencies of Punjab.
The by-polls in NA-122 Lahore-V, NA-144 Okara-II, NA-154 Lodhran-I, PP-147 Lahore-XI constituencies are scheduled to be held on October 11 and on October 6 in PP-16 Attock-II.
According to an ECP handout, the decision was taken by the Commission in view of the volatile law and order situation in the country as well as demands of Provincial Election Commissioner Punjab, District Returning Officers, Returning Officers and the political parties.
The ECP also sent letters to the interior and defence secretaries asking them to issue necessary directions for deployment of sufficient strength of Rangers personnel for the constituencies.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf had earlier demanded the deployment of Rangers in upcoming by-polls in the province saying that free, fair and transparent by-polls in Punjab are out of question without direct supervision of the electoral exercise by the Pakistan Army and Rangers.